I mentioned a few posts ago, that I've been creating quick, fun (and often print-inspired) DIYs twice a month on the blog of Art Star Gallery + Boutique, a longtime handmade shop here in Philadelphia. Last week, I took some of my old clipboards and jazzed them up with some screenprinted stripes. Sometimes I'll do anything to encourage a little organization and bookeeping in my studio!
For the full tutorial, go to Art Star's blog post, where you can read all the juicy how-to details.
While you're at it, check out the posts by Christie Sommers of West Oak Design - my fellow blogger in craft!
We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Blogging is likely one of my weaknesses; just can't quite get the knack of consistency (but I sure do enjoy it when I do find the time to connect my fingers to a key pad). I'd like the think, however, that one of my strengths is buckling down in the studio during the winter months - I mean, what else would I do?
Here are some printed goodies that I've been working on lately:
Cocktail napkins for your {insert favorite booze} drinking pleasure
Springtime tableware, featuring my new seasonal linen color: MINT
Bi-Monthly DIY blog posts for Art Star, a local handmade boutique here in Philadelphia
And now that the hibernating months have come to a close, hopefully you'll see me more...xo.
I have a brand new obsession. It all started a couple of weeks ago when I (finally) gave in to my desire to tempt to figure out repeat printing once and for all. Repeat printing allows for one continuous pattern, with no visible beginning or end. I had played around with it some, but only on a very small scale. I won't bore you with the details, but it required a lot of head scratching, calculations, and trail and error. In the end, it wasn't as hard as I had made it out to be - isn't that always the case with items of procrastination? And the result is that I am now obsessed with screenprinting wrapping paper.
All wrapping papers are now available for purchase in my shop. And if you need me, I'll be hiding behind yards and yards of kraft paper, in my studio printing more.
I've teamed up with my friends over at Hannah Lowman Visual Styling, based out of Asheville, NC, for a pillow giveaway from my new line. Win the pillow above by reposting it on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest with the hashtag #bonniekayegiveaway. This isn't the state lottery folks. Last time I checked, the odds are very much so in your favor! Try to grab it for your abode or gift it at a housewarming. Thanks for sharing the love. Just make sure you do it by Friday (tomorrow) by 10am EST. Full details on the giveaway here.
In addition to the giveaway, HLVS has also just featured our Philadelphia loft on their blog! Check out our built-in bunk beds, my inspiration board, and the prettiest antique couch in the world.
And if you are looking for an amazing Southern styling team, I can't say enough Hannah Lowman Visual Styling. Hannah and I met through her sister years ago in my Brooklyn days, and I've been inspired by her creative eye ever since. Any time I'm doing a little decorating and shifting of items in our apartment, my husband always asks me, "What would Hannah do?"
I can't believe that we are already knee deep into September. How on earth did that happen?! I'm sure you are like me - still in the glow of the craziness and laziness of summertime, and not quite ready to pull out sweaters and boots (ok, maybe a little ready!).
Looking back, I feel pretty pleased to have accomplished so much this summer here in Philly, including painting a mural on a shipping container at the Spruce Street Harbor Park and working with Mural Arts youth to design and paint neighborhood-based patterned murals along Pearl Street in Callowhill. Most of all, I was thrilled to get my act together in my studio and release a small, limited-edition batch of screen-printed textiles under the label, Bonnie Kaye Studio. These linen products, mainly housewares and totes, were inspired by my love of gardening, patterns, and dinner-parties. And all designs are named after some of my closest girlfriends - those that helped to fuel the fire for my studio endeavors. I invite you to check out some of my favorites below, including cocktail napkins, placemat/napkins combos, and throw pillows, or go straight to my online shop to view the whole collection.
More designs and color-combos will be released each season. It's a simple start in the direction of my love of printmaking and textiles, and I'm really excited to see where it takes me.
If you are local, look for me at Clover Market this Sunday in Chestnut Hill 10am-5pm, where I will be selling my textiles alongside the talent paper artist, Made by Liddy.
The New Hampshire duo behind the print studio Brainstorm must seriously be some of the best brainstormers I know. They design and screen-print highly creative AND informational prints, and if anyone is looking for a gift for me, I'll take any of them. As an avid traveler, I can't help but love their American Atlas Collection, and their new Garden Bed print has me scampering off to get my hands dirty. I mean, they even have a print for improving your Knife Skills in the kitchen. Most prints come in a larger screen-print version and a smaller digital version - both as standard sizes for easy framing.
Briana and Jason, your work is truly delightful. I can't wait to see what you brainstorm next.
Images via the Brainstorm website
